WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Derlago named Player of the Month

Published on November 30, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - For the second consecutive month, the Brandon Wheat Kings' Tip Top Tailors Player of the Month is a local product.

19-year old left-winger Mark Derlago has been chosen November's winner, joining another ex-AAA midget Wheat King Cole Hunter as this year's recipients.

Undrafted, this former Manitoba AAA Midget League scoring champion finished among the club scoring leaders last month, scoring four goals and six points in nine games as the Wheat Kings collected seven of a possible 18 points to climb to within three points of the Prince Albert Raiders and the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Division. As well, he was a respectable -1 during the month.

Entering this weekend's critical home and home series with the Raiders, Derlago has eight goals, 14 points and fifteen minutes in penalties in 27 games. Among his eight goals, which equals a career high, one was a game winner, which came during the third period of last Friday night's game against the first place Moose Jaw Warriors.

After capturing the CKX Trophy for being named Brandon's Top Rookie during the 2003-04 campaign, the 6' 197 lb. local product missed the entire 2004-05 campaign after sustaining a season ending neck injury during the club's final pre-season game in September.

One of nine local products on this year's club, Mark is the nephew of former Wheat Kings' scoring sensation Bill Derlago. In 92 career WHL games, he has sixteen goals and 42 points.

In recognition of the honour, Mark will receive a shirt, tie and suit from Tip Top Tailors in the Shoppers Mall, the official menswear clothier of the Wheat Kings during Friday night's game against Prince Albert.

Tickets to this Friday's game against the Raiders are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or by going on line at ticketmaster.ca.

This Friday night's game will also feature the 15th Annual Kids Loonie Scramble presented by Westoba Credit Union. Eight lucky fans (ages 12 & under) will have a chance to "scramble" their way to $500 in cold, hard loonies.

And fans, don't forget that the 2005 Shoppers Mall Teddy Bear Toss is just over a week away - Friday, December 9th vs. Medicine Hat Tigers. Everyone is encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game and "Toss Your Teddy" when the Wheat Kings score their first goal of the game. On Saturday, December 10th the Wheat Kings will travel to the MTS Centre in Winnipeg to meet the Regina Pats. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game will be the first of four games that Brandon will play in Winnipeg this season.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central